OBJECTIVETo observe the distribution character of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in Chinese population and its relationship with essential hypertension.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to detect the angiotensin converting enzyme gene I/D polymorphism in 2966 subjects of Kailuan Coal Mine, and further restriction analysis was performed.

RESULTSThe frequencies of ACE II, ID, DD genotypes in total study population were 41.5%, 38.4%, 20.1%, respectively. The DD genotypes in hypertensive group and that in control group were 18.9% and 21.0%, respectively. There was no significant difference between hypertensive group and control group (P>0.05). The same result was seen after stratification by age and gender in each group, respectively(P>0.05). The DD genotype and D allele showed a tendency to decrease with the increase of age (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe above results suggested that essential hypertension was not associated with ACE I/D polymorphism. The distributions of ACE genotype and allele varied with age, and the subjects with the character of DD genotype were at higher risk of early death.